NEWS

List of Resources for Financial Help for Veterinary Bills


Having Trouble Affording Vet Care? Help is out there. No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach. Financial aid is out there, and there are steps you can take to cover an emergency vet bill

Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. It could happen to anyone with a pet.

No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach. Financial aid is out there, and there are steps you can take to cover a vet bill.

You've always managed to give your pet the medical care she deserves, but because of unexpected circumstances, you're faced with vet expenses that are far beyond your ability to afford them.

No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach. Financial aid is out there, and there are steps you can take to cover an emergency vet bill.

Please remember that, depending on the severity of your pet's illness or injury, you may still lose your pet even after great expense.

Discuss the prognosis and treatment options with your veterinarian, including whether surgery or treatment would just cause your companion discomfort without preserving a life of good quality.

Work With Veterinarians


Be proactive. Negotiate a payment plan with your vet. If you're a client in good standing, she may be happy to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you don't have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. However, don't expect a vet you've never been to before to agree to such a plan. She doesn't know you and understandably doesn't want to get stuck with an unpaid bill.
  • Offer to perform a service for your vet like cleaning kennels, answering phones or other work in lieu of actual cash. 
  • Get a second opinion. You'll pay a consultation fee, but another vet may have other, less expensive ways to treat your pet.
  • Use a vet in a less expensive area. Vets in smaller towns tend to charge lower fees.
  • Check out local veterinary schools. Many run low-cost clinics for limited income clients. The American Veterinary Medical Association's website and VeterinarySchools.com have lists of veterinary schools by state.
  • Care Credit No Interest Payment Plan For Veterinary Care

Below is a comprehensive list of pet financial aid-related organizations

Some are listed nationwide, and some are listed alphabetically by state.

NOTICE: If your animal requires emergency veterinary care and you cannot afford treatment, click here to contact groups or veterinary schools that may help. If you are unsure what qualifies as emergency veterinary care, call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms.

National organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need:

Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance:

Additional Financial Assistance

There are many animal welfare organizations that can help out with vet bills, either with low-cost care, loans, or grants. 
Dog breed-specific veterinary care assistance programs:
Veterinary care assistance for working/service dogs:
Assistance By State

AL | AK | | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD |MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC| SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY | Puerto Rico